Device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces.



No. 796,607. PATENTBD AUG. 8, 1905.

t 0.11. SAVAGE; DEVICE FOR APPLYING STERILIZBRS T0 MOUTHPIBOES.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 1. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

munzw. av Gan-1m co. PNOKLLIYHOGMPHERS. WASHINGTON. u c.

No. 796,607. V PATENTBD AUG. 8, 1905.

. 0. H. SAVAGE.

DEVICE FOR APPLYING STERILIZERS TO MOUTHPIEOES.

APPLIOATIONYIILED SEPTJ, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ORRIN SAVAGE, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1905.

Application filed September 1, 1903. Serial No. 171,497.

To all whom it puny concern:

Be it known that I, ORRIN H. SAVAGE, acitizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices for Applying Sterilizers to Mouthpieces, of which the following is a specification.

My invention pertains to devices for applying sterilizers to mouthpiecessuch, for instance, as those of telephones, speakingtubes, or other sound-conducting instruments.

My invention relates more particularly to, devices of the kind named in which an absorbent which may be charged with a sterilizing substance may be positioned to close the opening of a mouthpiece.

The objects of my invention are to provide a sterilizing attachment, so called, which may wholly inclose the hitherto-exposed parts of mouthpieces and in which the holder of the absorbent shall be separable from the cap of theattachment, so that users of the attachment may speak either into an open mouth piece or into the latter through the absorbent material, as may be preferred. By my invention I also provide means by which the absorbent-holder may be connected to or disconnected from the cap, so that the latter may be opened separately from the former or the former may be opened with and by means of the cap, and I also provide means by which either the cap only or the connected cap and absorbent-holder may be retained in an open position or both the caprand the absorbentholder may be retained in a close position relatively of the mouthpiece.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a closed device which embodies a form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device, the cap being open and the absorbentholder being closed, the latter being also shown by broken lines in an open position. Fig. i is a central horizontal section of the device as shown in Fig. 1, a mouthpiece being shown in elevation. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the device, and Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively central vertical sections of modifications of the device.

Reference characters are relatively alike throughout the drawings.

' Referring to the drawings, A designates a mouthpiece which has a screw-threaded part a, which screws into a case B, as of a telephone or other sound-conducting instrument" A device which embodies a form of my invention comprises suitable means for properly positioning parts of the device relatively of the mouthpiece A. In the preferred form shown herein said means consist of a body 1, which in form and dimensions may be adapted to surround the mouthpiece A and which may be attached to the sound-conducting instrument by any suitable means, a perforated plate 2 being shown herein as attached to the body 1 and clamped between the mouthpiece A and the case B for the purpose mentioned.

An absorbent-holder 3 of any suitable form may be hinged to the outer end of the body 1, the one shown in the drawings comprising a flanged annulus across and within which is mounted an absorbent, which preferably consists of a diaphragm 4:, of textile fabric, which is adapted to fit within the annulus and may 1 be retained in position by means of a ring 5, between which and the flange of the absorbentholder 3 the radially outer part of the absorbent diaphragm may be compressed, the ring 5 being itself retained in position by frictionally or otherwise engaging the interior wall of the annulus of the absorbent-holder 3. The absorbent-holder 3 should preferably be of equal circumferential dimensions with the outer end of the body 1.

A cap 6 is arranged to cover the absorbent= holder 3 and may be of any suitable form. Preferably the absorbent-holder 3 and the cap 6 should be hinged at a fulcrum-point which should be common to both of said members-as, for instance, upon the pivot 7. Suitable means are provided for connecting ordisconnecting the absorbent-holder 3 and the cap 6, preferably at a point which is opposite to their hinges. For this purpose a latch 8 may be attached to the absorbent-holder 3 and may engage the upper and outer angle of the cap 6 by means of a slight offset, which is herein shown as a convexly bent part 8' of the latch 8.

The means hereinbefore referred to by which either the cap alone or the connected cap and absorbent-holder may be retained in either an open or a close position relatively of the mouthpiece are illustrated in the drawings in a form which comprises a bifurcated resilient plate 9, which is attached at its joined part to the body 1. The parts 9 9 of the bifurcated plate 9 respectively contact a hinge member 3 of the absorbent-holder 3 and a hinge member 6 of the cap 6. On the hinge members 3 6, respectively, are formed suitable contact-faces, herein shown as flat surfaces, and these contacting faces should be formed at such angles relatively of each other on each hinge member, respectively, as

may be necessary for the purpose hereinbefore referred to when operated as hereinafter explained.

The device thus far described is designed more particularly for use in combination with mouthpieces which are commonly furnished with telephones or other sound-conducting instruments. 1 have, however, in Fig. 6 of the drawings shown a section of a modifica tion of the device of my invention in which the parts hereinbefore referred to as the mouthpiece Aand body 1 are comprised in one and the same member, which is herein referred to as a mouthpiece A and upon which the other members of the device are mounted.

The principal object of my invention is to provide means by which the interior walls of a mouthpiece may be sterilized, and to this end my invention may be attached either to a body which is separate from and surrounds a mouthpiece or directly to the body which forms an integral part of the mouthpiece, and in either of the forms referred to the invention, as will be noted, will be attached to a body which surrounds the interior walls of a mouthpiece. Therefore when referring hereinafter to the combination of a mouthpiece and a body to which my invention may be attached 1 shall designate said body as a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece.

In Fig. 7 of the drawings the cap and other members are shown attached to a two-armed plate, which is secured in position by means :which are similar to those which are used to secure the body 1.

In operation, the device being properly connected to the mouthpiece, a suitable sterilizer should be applied to the absorbent 4, and the absorbent-holder 3 and cap 6 should both be retained in close positions (the former on the body 1 and the latter on the former) when the mouthpiece A is not in use. The parts 9 9 of the bifurcated plate 9 will then respectively contact flat surfaces of the hinge members 3 6 and bya resilient pressure will prevent the oscillation of either of the hinges upon the pivot 5 and will thus retain the absorbent-holder 3 and the cap 6, respectively, in their close positions, as before related.

It will be noted thatthe absorbent-holder 3 and absorbent diaphragm 4 may be used either in combination with a cap 6 or without said cap. In whatsoever combination they may be used, however, the absorbentholder 3 and absorbent diaphragm 4: may comprise an external cover for the outer opening of the mouthpiece.

1f when using the device the user desires to speak into an open mouthpiece, the cap 6,

if one be used, and the absorbent-holder may both be opened at once by means of the latch 8, which may be used as a handle for the purpose mentioned. If, however, the user desires to speak through the absorbent 4, the cap 6 may be unlatched from the absorbentholder, leaving the latter alone in a close position. Both the absorbent-holder and the cap may be retained in an open position by a contact of the parts 9 9", respectively, with flat surfaces of the hinge members 3 6, respectively, as before stated, relatively of the retention in a close position of the parts re ferred to.

It should be noted that a suitable sterilizer if properly applied to the aborbent 4 would completely sterilize and disinfect all parts of the mouthpiece A, because of the complete inclosure of the latter within the body 1 and other parts of the device and of the instrument.

An absorbent 4 may be readily removed from the absorbentholder 3 and another one introduced therein, if desired. This may be effected by first removing the frictionally-engaged ring 5 from the absorbent-holder 3. After the change of absorbentshas been effected the ring 5 should be forced into the absorbent-holder 3 and down upon the newlyplaced absorbent, where it will be retained by reason of its frictional or other engagement with the inner surface of the flange of the annulus of the absorbent-holder.

If either of the forms of the device which are illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 be used, the operation thereof will be practically similar to that of the form hitherto described.

I claim as new and as my invention- 1. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; and an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece.

2. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; and an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in an absorbentholder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece.

3. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body and may be closed upon the absorbent-holder.

4. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of abody which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall'ot' the annulus; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body and may be closed upon the absorbent-holder.

5. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body and may be closed upon the absorbent-holder.

6. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent diaphragm which is hinged in an absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body and may be closed upon the absorbent-holder.

7. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and a cap which'is hinged to the free end of the body at the fulcrum-point of the absorbent-holder and which may be closed upon the absorbent-- holder;

8. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of abody which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and a cap which is hinged to the'free end of the body at the fulcrum-point of the absorbent-holder and which may be closed upon the absorbent-holder.

9. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces,'the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body at the fulcrum-point of the absorbent-holder and which may be closedupon the absorbent-holder.

10. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in an absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body at the fulcrum-point of the absorbent-holder and which may be closed upon the absorbent-holder.

11. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body and may be closed upon the absorbentholder; and means for latching the cap and the absorbent-holder one to the other.

12. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; .a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body and may be closed upon the absorbent-holder; and means for latching the cap and the absorbentholder one to the other.

13. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the month'- piece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body and may be closed upon the absorbentholder; and means for latching the cap and the absorbent-holder one to the other.

14. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouth pieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior-walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageablewith the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in an absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; a cap whichis hinged to the free end of. the bodyandmay be closed upon the absorbent-holder; and means for latching the cap and the absorbent-holder one to the other.

15. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouth pieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body at the fulcrum-point of the absorbent-holder and which may be closed upon the absorbentholder; and means for latching the cap and the absorbent-holder one to the other.

16. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces. the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; a cap whichis hinged to the free end of the body at the fulcrum-point of the absorbentholder and which may be closed upon the absorbent-holder; and means for latching the cap and the absorbent-holder one to the other.

17. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body at the fulcrum-point of the absorbent-holder and which may be closed upon the absorbentholder; and means for latching the cap and the absorbent-holder one to the other.

18. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in an absorbent-holderand extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body at the fulcrum-point of the absorbentholder and which may be closed upon the absorbent-holder; and means for latching the cap and the absorbent-holder one to the other.

19. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and resilient means for retaining the absorbent-holder in either an open or a close position.

20. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which teas-o7" surrounds the interior walls 01 the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and resilient means for retaining the absorbent-holder in either an open or a close position.

21. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouth pieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and resilient means for retaining the absorbent-holder in either an open or a close position.

22. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of abody which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in an absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and resilient means for retaining the absorbent-holder in either an open or a close position.

23. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece;-a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body and may be closed upon the absorbent-holder; and resilient means for retaining the cap in either an open or a close position.

24:. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbentholder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent whichis mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body and may be closed upon the absorbent-holder; and resilient means for retaining the cap in either an open or a close position.

25. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in the absorbentholder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; and resilient means for retaining the cap in either an open or a close position.

26. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouth piece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in an absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouth piece; a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body and may be closed upon the absorbent-holder; and resilient means for retaining the cap in either an open or a close position.

27. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body at the fulcrum-point of the absorbent-holder and which may be closed upon the absorbent-holder; resilient means for retaining the cap in either an open or a close position; and resilient means for retaining the absorbent-holder in either an open or aclose position.

28. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent which is mounted in the absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body at the fulcrum-point of the absorbentholder and which may be closed upon the absorbent-holder; resilient means for retaining the cap in either an open or a close position; and resilient means for retaining the absorbent-holder in either an open or a close posi-v sorbent-holder; resilient means for retaining the cap in either an open or a close position;

and resilient means for retaining the absorbent-holder in either an open or a close position'.

30. In a device for applying sterilizers to mouthpieces, the combination of a body which surrounds the interior walls of the mouthpiece; an absorbent-holder which is hinged to the body and comprises a flanged annulus and a ring which is engageable with the interior wall of the annulus; an absorbent diaphragm which is mounted in an absorbent-holder and extends across the outer opening of the mouthpiece; a cap which is hinged to the free end of the body at the fulcrum-point of the absorbent-holder and which may be closed upon the absorbent-holder; resilient means for re taining the cap in either an open or a close position; and resilient means for retaining the absorbent-holder in either an open or a close position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this application'in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ORRIN- H. SAVAGE.

Witnesses:

ETELKA DERCKS, CHAS. H. DAVIDS. 

